FIFA introduces the official adidas match ball for the 2023 Women’s World Cup

FIFA has unveiled the adidas OCEAUNZ match ball, which will be used later this year at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

With 117 days to go, until New Zealand take on Norway in their opening match on July 20th and Australia take on the Republic of Ireland later that same day, OCEAUNZ is a celebration of the cultures of both host nations.

The ball design features work by Aboriginal artist Chern’ee Sutton and Māori artist Fiona Collis. Inspiration comes from unique natural landscapes, with nods to Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia’s connection with the Indian Ocean.

This will be the ninth football in a row that adidas has developed for the Women’s World Cup and it will feature the latest Connected Ball Technology, a motion sensor in the center of the ball powered by a rechargeable battery, just like with recent men’s World Cup in Qatar.

It delivers precise ball data that is made available to VAR officials in real-time to streamline decision-making, while also being part of FIFA’s semi-automated offside technology.

Aside from Connected Ball technology, the OCEAUNZ features a CTR core designed to improve accuracy and consistency, as well as maximize shape and air retention. The 20-piece Speedshell includes micro and macro textures to aid in aerodynamics.

OCEAUNZ will be available in adidas stores, select retailers and online at www.adidas.com/football

Planet League’s Rich Holmes and Sustainable Clarets’ Cat Jebson join Shebahn Aherne to discuss the climate of football ahead of Green Football Weekend. If you can’t see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!